Wrench machine



J. L. DEDGE WRENCH MACHINE Nov. 5, 1929.

Filed Aug. 22, 1928 s Sheefs-Sheet Inwentar Jo/uzlljeaiye M Attorney OOOO J. L. DEDGE WRENCH MACHINE Nov. 5, 1929.

Filed Aug. 22, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fnuuztor (7221222 z. Jaye By M mJttarngy Patented Nov. 5, 1929 PATENT OFFICE JOHN L. DEDGE, 01' PORTORANGE, FLORIDA.

WRENCH MACHINE Application filed August 22, 1928. Serial No. 301,284.

ments in wrench machines and has for its principal object to provide astructure that is of a portable nature whereby the same can be movedfrom place to place and used wherever necessary.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide awrench machine of the above mentioned character which will saveconsiderable time and labor in applying or removing nuts, the nutsengaging the wrench being operated by a suitable power plant.

A further object is to provide a mechanism of the above mentionedcharacter which can be used for othenpurposcs such as for rotatingdrills when boring, or supporting in turning the screw driver or soforth.

I A further object is to rovide a machine of the above mentioned 0aracter which includes a driven shaft capable of rotation in eitherdirection and at any desired speed, a flexible drive being detachablyand operatively connected with either end of the driven shaft, saidflexible shaft having connection at its other end with the toolsupporting means for actuating the same.

A further object is to provide a wrench machine of the above mentionedcharacter which is simple in construction, inexpensive,

strong and durable and further well adapted to the purposes for which itis designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the course ofthe following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the same: Q

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the wrench machine embodying myinvention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line3-3 of Figure 2,

looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 4; is a sectional view taken approxi: mately on the line 4-4 ofFigure 1,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 1, lookingin the direction of the arrows,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the l1ne 66 of Figure 1,

Flgure 7 is a transverse section taken on the line 7-7 of Fi ure 8, I

Figure 8 is a ragmentary detail elevational viewof the chain forming apart of the flexible sliding shaft,

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 99 ofFigure 1, and

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 10-10 ofFigure 1.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of lllustration is shown apreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates asubstantially rectangular shaped frame that is supported at its rear endon the axle 2 on theends of which are mounted the ground engaging wheels3.

A steering wheel 4 is arran ed beneath the forward end portion of therame as shown 1n Figure 2. A handle 5 is connected to the forward end ofthe frame to provide a tongue whereby the machine may be moved fromplace to place. An electric motor 6 of any conventional construction issupported on the rear end of the frame 1 on suitable cross bars 7.

Additional cross bars 8 extend transversely between the sides of theintermediate portion of the frame and suitable bearings 9 are arg0ranged on the upper faces of the intermediate cross bars to which isjournaled the lon gitudinally extending driven shaft 10 that hasconnection at its rear end with the drive shaft 11 of the motor 6through the medium of asuits5 -able coupling 12 as clearly illustratedin Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

A relatively large disc 13 is carried by the forward end of the drivenshaft 10-for *rotation therewith, the front face of the disc 00 beingsmooth to provide a driving face.

A transverse shaft 14 has its ends journaled through suitable bearings15 secured on the upper faces of the opposed side of the forward endportion of the frame and these bearing units 15 are capable oflongitudinal slidable movement on the frame as is obvious from theconstruction disclosed in Figure 1. The ends of the transverse shaft 14project beyond the outer sides of the respective bearings and are formedwith squared projections 16 as is clearly illustrated in Figure, 4 andfor a purpose to be presently described in detail.. V V

A collar 18 is secured on the shaft 14 inwardly of each end thereof fordisposition against the inner side of the respective bearings to preventslidable movement of the shaft 14.

Splined on the driven transverse shaft 14 is the wheel or ring 19 thathas its outer peripheral face coveredwith a band 20 that frictionallyengages with the front face of the disk 13 to provide a frictionaldriving connection between the drive shaft 10 and the driven shaft 14.

A sleeve or collar 21 is formed on one side of the ring or wheel 19 withwhich is operatively connected a yoke 22 formed on the rear end of itshandle 23 that extends forwardly and terminates in a collar 24 that issplined on a counter shaft 25 that also extends transversely across thetop of the frame 1 forwardly of the transverse shaft 14, the ends of theshaft 25 being journaled for rockable movement within suitable bearingsshown at 26. A sleeve 27 is also splined on the counter shaft 25 and hasa handle 28 extending forwardly therefrom.

This sleeve engages with one side of the collar 24 as shown in Figure 1so that when the handle 28 is pulled along the counter shaft 25, thering or wheel 19 will also be pulled along its shaft 14.

As shown in Figure 1, the wheel or ring 19 is located at the approximatecenter of the driving disc 13 thereby causing the parts t be disposed inneutral position.

When the wheel or ring is moved in one direction and is in engagementwith the disc 13, said shaft 14 will be driven in one direction.Obviously by moving the ring or wheel 19 in the other direction, theshaft 14 will be caused to rotate inthe opposite direction.

Also the movement of the ring or wheel 19 toward the outer peripheraledge of the disk 13 will increase the' speed at which the driven shaft14 is driven. For the purpose of moving the ring or wheel 19 into andout of engagement with the front face of the driving disc 13, there isprovided at each end of the counter shaft 25, a relatively short arm 29to which is pivotally connected the forward end of the link 30, the rearend of each link being operatively connected to the respectivelongitudinally slidable bearing unit 15 as at 31 with reference moreparticularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

By swinging the handle 28 in a vertical plane, the counter shaft 25 willbe rocked causing similar movement to be imparted to the arms 29 andasthese arms are operatively connected to the longitudinally slidablebearing units, said bearing units which support thetransversely disposeddriven shaft 14 will move along the upper faces of the respective sidesof the frame whereby, as stated above, the spring or wheel 19 may bedisposed in an operative position for 24 and the sleeve 27 and it willbe observed that said collar is detachably secured on a reduced portionof the sleeve and is held in position thereon by means of a nut 32threaded on an externally threaded extension formed on the outer end ofthe reduced portion 33 of said sleeve.

A hollow handle 34 has formed on one end thereof a casing formingextensions 35 in which is arranged for rotation the nut engaging socket36, the top and bottom faces of the casing forming'extension being opento accommodate the respective end of the socket as shown very clearly inFigure 6.

The nut engaging socket is formed on its outer side at the intermediateportion thereof with the worm gear 37 with which cooperates the wormscrew 38 secured on the forward end of a flexible driving shaft 39 andfor disposition within the outer end portion of the hollow handle 34.

This flexible shaft drive 39 consists of a plurality of interconnectedlinks shown at 40 in Figure 8, suitable clamps 41 being associated witheach link to normally close the same and prevent the displacement of theadjacent links therefrom. A hand controlled clutch unitdenoted generallyby the reference character 42 is associated with the forward end of thedriving chain 39 and the worm screw 38 and this clutch controlled unitextends through an opening formed in the. handle 34. I

In Figure 10, there is shown in detail the manner in which the clutchoperatively connects the worm screw 38 with the forward end of theflexible drive unit 39, the parts being shown in their operativeposition.

The other end of the flexible drive means has associated therewith asocket 43 for detachable association with either squared end 16 of thedriven shaft 14 and a flexible conduit 44 is arranged over the chain 39.

A coupling 45 is associated with one end of the housing or conduit 44for detachable engagement with a threaded extension 46 formed on theouter side of each bearing unit around the projecting end of the shaft14 and this is clearly shown in Figure 4.

The other end of the conduit is connected to the rear end of the handle34 in any suitable manner. When the parts are connected in the mannershown in Figure 1, it is readily obvious that when the motor 6 is inoperation and the ring or wheel 19 is in engagement with the disk 13,rotary motion will be imparted to the flexible drive chain 39 which inturn will rotate the socket 36 and when the latter is placed over a nut,the nut will be turned either to loosen or tighten the same in a quickand efficient manner.

The machine when used as a wrench for tightening or loosening will saveconsiderable time and labor and by reason of the flexible drive shaft,nuts can be reached that are ordinarily inaccessible with ordinary typeof wrenches.

By replacing the unit 36, with other implements, the machine may be usedfor various purposes such as for performing operations or in factwherever it is necessary to quickly and efficiently rotate an element ofa small nature or size.

The parts of my machine are so constructed as to permit the same to bereadily and easily actuated and furthermore the machine is of a portablenature thus permitting the same to be moved from place to place.

A machine of this character will not only be strong and durable but atall times efficient and reliable in its operation.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to beunderstood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinvent-ion and the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new is: 1. A machine of the class described comprisingin combination, a platform, a longitudinal drive shaft supportedthereon, means for actuating said shaft, a disk secured on the forwardend of the drive shaft, a driven shaft arranged transversely on theplatform forwardly of the drive shaft, a member splined on the drivenshaft for engagement with the disk to provide an operative connectionbetween the drive and the driven shafts, means for moving the memberalong the driven shaft to vary the speed and the direction of rotationof the driven shaft with respect to the drive shaft, a handle unit, arotatable nut engaging socket member mounted in the handle unit, aflexible shaft, means at one end of the flexible shaft for detachablysecuring the same to one end of the driven shaft for rotation therewith,additional means at the other end of the flexible shaft for rotating thenut engaging socket member, and means for moving the member supported onthe driven shaft into and out of engagement with the disk, said lastmentioned means including a counter shaft supported transversely on theforward end of the platform for rockable movement, bearing units for thedriven shaft arranged for slidable movement on said latform, means forrocking the counter siiaft, and means for operatively connecti'ng theslidable bearing unit with the counter shaft for effecting the movementof the driven ing upon the direction in which the counter shaft isrocked.

2. In combination, a platform, a drive shaft supported longitudinallythereon, driving means at the rear end of the shaft, a disk on theforward end of the shaft, a driven shaft supported transversely on theforward portion of the platform, bearing units for the ends of thedriven shaft arranged for slidable movement longitudinally on theplatform, a member splined on the driven shaft, means for sliding saidmember on said shaft for varying the speed and the direction of rotationof the driven shaft when said member is in engagement with the disk, andadditional means for moving the driven shaft forwardly or rearwardly onthe platform to engage or disengage the member on said driven shaft withrespect to the disk.

3. In combination, a platform, a drive shaft supported longitudinallythereon, driving means at the rear end of the shaft, a disk on theforward end of the shaft, a driven shaft supported transversely on theforward portion of the platform, bearing units for the ends of thedriven shaft arranged for slidable movement longitudinally on theplatform, a member splined on the driven shaft, means for sliding saidmember on said shaft for varying the speed and the direction of rotationof the driven shaft when said mem her is in engagement with the disk,and additional means for moving the driven shaft forwardly or rearwardlyon the platform to engage or disengage the member on said drivenshaftwith respect to the disk, said last men tioned means including a countershaft supported transversely on the platform forwardly of the drivenshaft, said counter shaft being adapted for rockable movement, means forrocking the counter shaft, and an operative connection between therockable counter shaft and the slidable bearing unit whereby said drivenshaft will be moved forwardly or rearwardly simultaneously with therocking of the counter shaft.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN L. DEDGE.

shaft toward or away from the disk depend-

